Biochemical and morphological evidence for host race evolution in desert mistletoe,Phoradendron californicum (Viscaceae)

Allozymes and morphological characters were used to test whether host race evolution—the genetic divergence of parasitic populations caused by adaptation to different host species—has occurred in desert mistletoe,Phoradendron californicum. Populations ofPhoradendron californicum from two hosts,Acacia greggii andProsopis glandulosa, were surveyed from the Mojave and Colorado deserts. Electrophoretic data indicated genetic differentiation of mistletoes occurring on these hosts. Three of four morphological characters (internode length, main shoot lateral shoot diameter ratio and berry color) also showed significant host-specific differentiation. These data support the hypothesis that host race formation has occurred or is occurring in this parasitic angiosperm.     

Nutritional relationships between hemi-parasitic mistletoe and some of its deciduous hosts in different habitats

Parasitism of plants by other plants provides an exceptional opportunity for investigating correlative nutritional relationships. Because of lacking a usual plant-root sytem capable of active uptake, the best correlation for predicting the concentrations of elements in parasitic plants is often those in the host plants. This study, therefore, mainly focuses on determination of i) mineral nutrient partitioning between hemi-parasitic white berry mistletoe (Viscum album L. subsp. album) and four of its deciduous hosts growing in different habitats namely wetland and semi-arid and ii) effects of these habitat types on nutrient absorption. During the research, leaf samples of both hemi-parasites and their host plants were chemically analysed, mistletoes on each host plants were counted and the results were considered statistically. Concentrations of some elements (N, P, K, Na, S, Cu, Zn) were higher in mistletoe whereas some others (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and B) were higher in the hosts (p< 0.05). Habitat type was also determined to be effective in host-parasite systems. Revealing information about nutritional interactions between multi-host hemi-parasites and their host plants is a useful tool to understand their functions in ecosystems, population-community dynamics and their co-evolution process.     

The effect of nitrogen supply on growth and water-use efficiency of xylem-tapping mistletoes

Xylem-tapping mistletoes are known to have normally a higher rate of transpiration and lower water-use efficiency than their hosts. The relationships between water relations, nutrients and growth were investigated for Phoradendron juniperinum growing on Juniperus osteosperma (a non-nitrogen-fixing tree) and for Phoradendron californicum growing on Acacia greggii (a nitrogen-fixing tree). Xylem sap nitrogen contents were approximately 3.5 times higher in the nitrogen-fixing host than in the non-nitrogen-fixing host. The results of the present study show that mistletoe growth rates were sevenfold greater on a nitrogen-fixing host. At the same time, however, the differences in water-use efficiency between mistletoes and their hosts, which were observed on the non-nitrogen-fixing host did not exist when mistletoes were grown on hosts with higher nitrogen contents in their xylem sap. Growth rates and the accumulation of N, P, K, and Ca as well as values for carbon-isotope ratios of mistletoe tissues support the hypothesis that the higher transpiration rates of mistletoes represent a nitrogen-gathering mechanism.Abbreviation ¹³C carbon-isotope ratio Dedicated to Professor Dr. Hubert Ziegler on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Population structure of a vector‐borne plant parasite

Parasites are among the most diverse groups of life on Earth, yet complex natural histories often preclude studies of their speciation processes. The biology of parasitic plants facilitates in situ collection of data on both genetic structure and the mechanisms responsible for that structure. Here, we studied the role of mating, dispersal and establishment in host race formation of a parasitic plant. We investigated the population genetics of a vector‐borne desert mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum) across two legume host tree species (Senegalia greggii and Prosopis velutina) in the Sonoran desert using microsatellites. Consistent with host race formation, we found strong host‐associated genetic structure in sympatry, little genetic variation due to geographic site and weak isolation by distance. We hypothesize that genetic differentiation results from differences in the timing of mistletoe flowering by host species, as we found initial flowering date of individual mistletoes correlated with genetic ancestry. Hybrids with intermediate ancestry were detected genetically. Individuals likely resulting from recent, successful establishment events following dispersal between the host species were detected at frequencies similar to hybrids between host races. Therefore, barriers to gene flow between the host races may have been stronger at mating than at dispersal. We also found higher inbreeding and within‐host individual relatedness values for mistletoes on the more rare and isolated host species (S. greggii). Our study spanned spatial scales to address how interactions with both vectors and hosts influence parasitic plant structure with implications for parasite virulence evolution and speciation.     

Influence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potamogeton crispus</Emphasis> growth on nutrients in the sediment and water of Lake Tangxunhu

An incubation experiment was performed on Potamogeton crispus (P. crispus) using sediment collected from Lake Tangxunhu in the center of China, in order to determine the effects of plant growth on Fe, Si, Cu, Zn, Mn, Mg, P, and Ca concentrations in the sediments and overlying waters. After 3 months of incubation, Ca, Mg, and Si concentrations in the water column were significantly lower, and P and Cu concentrations were significantly higher than in unplanted controls. The effect of P. crispus growth on sediment pore waters and water-extractable elements varied. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, Si, Fe, Cu, and Zn were significantly higher, and P was significantly lower, than in pore waters of the control. Water-extracted concentrations of Fe, Mg, and Si in the sediments were lower, and P was higher, than in the control. Presence of P. crispus generally enhanced concentration gradients of elements between pore waters and overlying waters but not for P. The growth of P. crispus was associated with an increase in water pH and formation of root plaques, resulting in complex effects on the sediment nutritional status. Handling editor: S. M. Thomaz     

Mineral Elements in Root of Wild Saposhnikovia divaricata and Its Rhizosphere Soil

Mineral elements are important components of medicinal herbs, and their concentrations are affected by many factors. In this study, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn concentrations in wild Saposhnikovia divaricata and its rhizosphere soil collected from seven locations at two different times in China were measured, and influences of rhizosphere soil on those minerals in plant were evaluated. The results showed that mean concentrations of eight minerals in plant samples decreased in the order: Ca > Mg > Na > K > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu, and those in the soil samples followed the following order: Na > Fe > Ca > K > Mg > Mn > Zn > Cu. Mean concentrations of Ca, Na, Mg, and K in plants were higher than those in soils, while higher mean concentrations of the other four minerals were found in soils. It was found that there was a positive correlation of Mg, Na, and Cu concentrations in the plant with those in the soil respectively, but a negative correlation of Mn concentration in plant with that in the soil. Except Ca, K, and Mn, the other five minerals in plant were all directly affected by one or more chemical compositions of soil. The results also indicate that pH value and concentrations of total nitrogen, Mg, Mn, and Cu in soil had significant correlations with multimineral elements in plant. In a word, mineral elements uptake of S. divaricata can be changed by adjusting the soil fertility levels to meet the need of appropriate quality control of S. divaricata.     

四种金花茶组植物叶片金属元素含量及富集特性研究

以四种金花茶组植物为研究对象,采用原子吸收光谱法和原子荧光法,测定其嫩叶、老叶及对应土壤中Mg、Ca、Mn、Fe、Zn、Ni、Se、Pb、Cd、Hg、As共11种元素的含量,并分别计算嫩叶和老叶对土壤金属元素的富集系数.结果表明:(1)4种金花茶组植物叶片富含Mg、Ga、Mn、Fe、Zn、Ni等营养元素,各元素在叶片中含量为Ca>Mg>Mn>Fe>Zn>Ni>Se;Pb、Cd、As、Hg等重金属元素含量较低,均达到无公害茶叶标准.(2)老叶和嫩叶中各金属元素含量差异较大,老叶中的Ca、Mn、Fe、Zn、Pb、Cd、Hg、As、Se元素含量均大于嫩叶,尤以Ca、Mn、Fe差异显著;嫩叶中的Mg和Ni含量大于老叶.(3)金花茶组植物对不同金属元素的富集能力不同,对各元素富集能力强弱为Ca、Mn、Mg>Zn、Ni、Hg>Pb、Se>Fe、As,老叶和嫩叶的富集规律存在差异.(4)不同金花茶组植物对金属元素的富集能力有较大差异,龙州金花茶(Camellia longzhouensis)和黄花抱茎茶(C.murauchii)对Mg、Ca、Mn、Zn、Ni、Se、Pb的富集能力均大于金花茶(C.nitidissima)和毛籽金花茶(C.ptilosperma).其中,龙州金花茶对Mg、Mn、Se的富集能力最强,黄花抱茎茶对Ca、Pb、Hg富集能力最强,金花茶对Hg的富集能力较强,对其它元素的富集能力均较弱;毛籽金花茶对Ca、Mn、Ni、Zn的富集能力均最弱.该研究结果为金花茶组植物的进一步开发和利用提供了理论依据.     

The contribution of mistletoes to nutrient returns: Evidence for a critical role in nutrient cycling

Both nutrient cycling and nutrient relationships between mistletoe and host have been widely studied; yet it is unclear whether high nutrient concentrations commonly found in mistletoes affect rates of nutrient cycling. To address this question, we assessed 13 elements in the leaf litter of a temperate eucalypt forest in southern New South Wales, comparing concentrations from trees (Eucalyptus blakelyi, E. dwyeri, and E. dealbata) with and without the hemiparasitic mistletoe Amyema miquelii. Results were in accord with previous research on fresh leaves showing that concentrations of many elements were higher in the mistletoe than the host. This was not the case for all elements; most notably for N, where concentrations were significantly lower in the mistletoe. However, the return of all elements increased with mistletoe infection because of the combined effect of enrichment in mistletoe tissues and high rates of mistletoe litterfall. Annual returns of N and P in leaf litter increased by a factor of 1.65 and 3 respectively, with the greatest increase being for K by a factor of 43 in spring. These increased element returns were not significantly influenced by any changes in host leaf litter quality, as mistletoe infection was not found to affect host element concentrations. Mistletoe infection also altered the spatial and temporal distribution of element returns because of the patchy occurrence of mistletoes and extended period of mistletoe litterfall compared with the host. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the role of mistletoes as a keystone resource and, together with comparable results from root‐parasitic plants in boreal tundra and cool‐temperate grasslands, suggest that enhancing nutrient return rates may be a generalized property of parasitic plants.     

Variation in mistletoe seed deposition: effects of intra- and interspecific host characteristics

We investigated differences in host infection by a desert mistletoe, Phoradendron californicum, and examined one of the processes that contributes to these differences: variation in seed deposition among host individuals and species. In the Sonoran Desert, P. californicum parasitizes the sympatric leguminous trees Olneya tesota, Cercidium microphyllum, Prosopis velutina, Acacia constricta, and Acacia greggii. We hypothesized that seed deposition depends on host height and crown architecture. At a site in Arizona, frequency of infection did not reflect host relative abundance. Olneya tesota was parasitized at a higher frequency than expected from its abundance and maintained the highest mistletoe loads per individual host. In contrast, P. velutina was infected less frequently than expected. Infection frequency increased with host tree height for all hosts. Mistletoe seed deposition by avian dispersers differed among host species and was disproportionately high in O. tesota and P. velutina. Seed deposition was higher in infected than in non‐infected host trees, and increased with tree height in O. tesota but not in C. microphyllum. We suspect that increased seed deposition with height in O. tesota may be due to the preference of seed‐dispersing birds for higher perches. Some host tree species, such as C. microphyllum and A. constricta, probably received fewer mistletoe seeds because birds avoid hosts with dense and spiny crowns. Mistletoe populations are plant metapopulations in which host trees are patches and the frequency of infection in each host species/patch type is the result of interspecific differences in the balance between mistletoe colonization and extinction. From this perspective, our study of host use and seed dispersal is a metapopulation study of patch occupancy and propagule distribution among available patch types. Our seed‐dispersal study demonstrates that the mechanisms that create pattern in patchy plant populations can be investigated in mistletoe systems.     

Mineral nutrition of the hyperparasitic mistletoe Viscum articulatum Burm. f. (Viscaceae) in tropical Brunei Darussalam

A plant parasite parasitizing another plant parasite is known as a hyperparasite. Information is scarce regarding the ecophysiology of hyperparasites and their hosts despite their potential to illuminate processes of host–parasite solute flux. Here we present mineral profiles and stable isotopic data for two associations of the hyperparasite Viscum articulatum and its primary mistletoe and tree hosts. Acting as the terminal sink, the hyperparasite had consistently higher contents of all major and minor elements evaluated compared to the primary parasite and the proximal portion of the tree host branch. The primary parasite had lower contents of Cu, Mg, Mn, N, and Z relative to the proximal portion of the tree host branch, suggesting nutritional stress applied by the hyperparasite. Interestingly Fe and Cu showed no consistent pattern between host and primary parasite, while the osmotically active elements P and K increased from tree host, to primary mistletoe, and finally the hyperparasitic mistletoe. The δ¹³C partitioning patterns for hyperparasites, primary parasites, and hosts were non‐linear in contrast to linear patterns reported from the literature for autoparasitic mistletoe associations, demonstrating fundamental differences between nutrition in hyperparasites and autoparasites.     

Elemental concentrations and correlations in winter micropopulations of Stephanodiscus rotula: an autecological study over a period of cell size reduction and restoration

The population of Stephanodiscus rotula in a temperate eutrophic lake was studied over a 2 month period (January to early March). Although during the study period nutrient concentrations in the lake water remained far in excess of phytoplankton requirements, no notable increase in chlorophyll levels was recorded. This suggests that algae were limited by shortage of light and low temperatures. Frequency distribution analysis of cell diameters showed a dramatic size reduction at the end of winter, followed by restoration of higher values by early spring. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis spectra from Stephanodiscus cells routinely showed peaks of Ca, K, Si, P, S, Fe, Al, Mn, Mg, Na and Cl, with substantial variation in elemental concentrations both between and within samples. End-of-winter reduction in the cell size coincided with a considerable depletion of intracellular chemical levels of Si, P, Cl and K and could be related to the concurrent decrease in dissolved organic C and increase in intracellular Al. Correlation and factor analysis of intracellular elemental concentrations showed that statistical elemental associations within Stephanodiscus cells were mainly determined by three factors, with P, Cl, Si and K showing higher loadings on the first, Ca, Mn and S on the second, and Fe, Ca and Al on the third factor. Significant correlations among the elements of the first association may indicate the importance of P (ATP), K (through involvement in P metabolism) and Cl (possibly charge balance) in the active Si uptake during the study period.     

Mineral composition ofCuscuta nevadensis Johnston (dodder) in relationship to its hosts

Summary The mineral composition of 16 samples of dodder (Cuscuta nevadensis Johnston) and leaves of eight species of its host plants collected from the northern Mojave Desert were examined to determine relationships between parasitism and transport of mineral elements from the host to the parasite. The K concentration of dodder was fairly constant for a wide range of host plants. It was sometimes less than and sometimes greater than that of the host. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, B, Mn, Mo, and Sr in dodder were always much lower than those of leaves of host plants. Those of Fe, P, and Al were sometimes higher. Sodium was generally excluded from dodder regardless of host concentration. Positive and significant correlation coefficients were obtained for concentration in doddervs concentration in leaves of host plants for P, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn, Mo, Sr, Ba, and Li. The coefficient of variation was less in the dodder than in leaves of the different host plants for 7 of 17 metals.     

NUTRIENT AND WATER RELATIONS OF THE MISTLETOE PHORADENDRON LEUCARPUM (VISCACEAE): HOW TIGHTLY ARE THEY INTEGRATED?

Tissue mineral concentrations of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc, and long-term water-use efficiency (as estimated by δ¹³C±) were measured in the mistletoe Phoradendron leucarpum and its hosts to investigate the relationship between nutrient concentrations and water economies of the parasite and hosts. The mistletoe had mineral concentrations 0.97 to 2.88 times greater than the hosts. Mean long-term mistletoe water-use efficiency (-27.89±) was comparable to mean long-term host water-use efficiency (-27.69±) and generally greater than the water-use efficiency reported for most mistletoe species. Differences between mistletoe and host water-use efficiency ranged from +0.65 to -0.75± and were more similar to mistletoes found growing on nitrogen-fixing host species as reported in other studies. Mistletoe nutrient concentrations, in particular nitrogen, were not related to changes in mistletoe water-use efficiencies. Nutrient: calcium ratios indicated that mistletoes acquire nutrients in excess of that which can be delivered by the host xylem. These data are discussed relative to the passive vs. active theories of nutrient uptake.     

Room temperature solvent extraction for simple and fast determination of total concentration of Ca,Cu, Fe,Mg, Mn,and Zn in bee pollen by FAAS along with assessment of the bioaccessible fraction of these elements using in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Background and aimBee pollen is recognized to be a source of different nutrients, including minerals. As a food supplement, its quality and safety due to concentrations of essential macro- and microelements, and harmful trace elements has to be verified. Fast and simple element analysis of bee-collected pollen can be regarded as an important part of its quality assurance and control. The present study aimed at developping a new method for determination of selected elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn) of bee pollen based on solvent extraction and completely avoiding a high temperature treatment with concentrated reagents. In addition, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was used to assess bioavailability of elements from this food supplement.MethodsBee pollen samples were dried and pulverized. Total concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) in sample solutions obtained by wet digestion (WD) in concentrated HNO₃ or alternatively by solvent extraction (SE) with diluted solutions of HNO₃. Gastrointestinal digestion was mimicked using simulated solutions of gastric and intestinal juices followed by determination of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn concentrations in the bioaccessible fraction by FAAS.ResultsA new simple and fast method for determination of total concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn in bee pollen was developed and validated. The method combined room temperature, two-hour SE with 0.5 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃ with FAAS measurements versus simple standard solutions. It provided precision within 1–5 % and trueness better than 8%, and was shown to be suitable for fast analysis of different polyfloral bee pollens. In vitro gastrointestinal digestion revealed that elements were well (70–85 % for Ca, Mg) and fairly (27–43 % for Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) bioaccessible from bee pollen. By pouring with water and swelling overnight, bioaccessibility of studied elements from such prepared bee pollen was increased on average by less than 15 % (Mn), 20 % (Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn) or 30 % (Mn).ConclusionsAvoiding long-lasting, high-temperature wet digestion with concentrated reagents, the proposed sample treatment along with FAAS provided precise and true results of total concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn in bee pollen. The method was simple and fast, and enabled to analyze a higher number of samples. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion of bee pollen have shown for the first time that Ca and Mg are the most bioaccessible from this bee product. Bioaccessibility of Cu, Fe, Mg, and Zn from bee pollen are close to or lower than 40 %.     

The budget of dissolved trace metals in Lake Biwa,Japan

A comprehensive study on the dynamics of dissolved elements (Mg, Al, Si, P, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, As, Sr, Y, W, and U) in Lake Biwa was carried out using a clean technique. Lake water samples (n = 523) were collected from six stations in the North Basin and three stations in the South Basin. River water samples (n = 178) were collected from 14 major rivers flowing into the North Basin. Rainwater samples (n = 89) were collected at Otsu. The river water was enriched with Mn, Al, Fe, P, and Zn and the rainwater was enriched with Zn, Al, Fe, and Mn compared to North Basin water during winter mixing. The residence times of dissolved species were estimated on the basis of input through the rivers and rain. The residence times for Ca, Mg, and Sr were about 8 years, the same as that for water. Mn, Al, Fe, and Zn showed the shortest residence times (0.05–0.19 year). A budget calculation suggested that more than 60% of the input of dissolved Si, P, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Zn was scavenged and retained in the lake sediments and/or discharged as suspended particles.     

Plant Seeds as Mineral Nutrient Resource for Seedlings--A Comparison of Plants from Calcareous and Silicate Soils

Mineral nutrients of seeds constitute a significant source ofessential elements to seedlings and developing individuals ofvascular plants. In spite of their potential ecological significance,seed nutrient pools have attracted little attention with respectto calcifuge–calcicole behaviour of plants. The objectivesof this study were, therefore, to compare concentrations of13 macro- and micronutrients (K, Rb, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu,Zn, Mo, B, P and S) in seeds and leaves of 35 mainly herbaceousvascular plant species growing on both limestone (calcareous)and silicate (non-calcareous) soils. Concentrations of Rb andCo in seeds of plants originating from limestone soils were,on average, about half of those from silicate soils. Concentrationsof Mn, Mg, Zn and P of seeds were, or tended to be, lower orslightly lower in limestone-soil plants, whereas mean Ca andMo concentrations were higher. Comparing seed and leaf concentrationsof the same species from limestone and silicate soils generallydemonstrated a high P enrichment ratio, but a particularly lowK enrichment ratio in seeds, valid for both types of soil. Itwas also apparent that Fe and Mn, micronutrients which are lessreadily solubilized and taken up by plants on limestone soils,had significantly higher seed:leaf concentration ratios in plantsfrom limestone than from silicate soils, whereas the oppositewas true for Ca. This indicates a ‘strategy’ tosatisfy the demand of seedlings for elements which are lessreadily available in the soil.Copyright 1998 Annals of BotanyCompany Seed, leaf, plant, nutrient, content, calcareous, silicate, acid, soil.     

Serum trace element levels and the complexity of inter-element relations in patients with Parkinson's disease

Trace elements have been postulated to play a role in Parkinson's disease (PD). In order to elucidate whether changes in the serum levels of trace elements reflect the progression of PD, we assessed serum levels of 12 elements (Na, K, Fe, Al, Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg, Mn, Si, P and S) in early PD, severe PD and normal subjects, using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The concentrations in μmol/ml, the relative mole percentage distribution and inter-element relations were computed. Statistical analysis of these data showed a definite pattern of variation among certain elements in early and severe PD compared to controls. In both early and severe PD serum, Al and S concentrations were significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared to the controls. Fe (p<0.01) and Zn (p<0.05) concentrations were significantly lower in severe PD, while K, Mg, Cu (p<0.01) and P (p<0.05) concentrations were higher in early and severe PD compared to the controls. The data revealed an imbalance in the inter-element relations in both early and severe PD serum compared to controls, as shown by the direct and inverse correlations. These results suggest a disturbance in the element homeostasis during the progression of PD.     

干热河谷石漠化区火龙果地不同耕作方式的土壤矿质元素特征

为探讨不同耕作方式的土壤矿质元素含量变化特征,促进火龙果生长发育和品质改良,该研究采用套种紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)、施用有机肥和化肥与农药、地膜覆盖和无措施五种耕作方式,以每种方式土壤的22种矿质元素为评价指标,比较不同耕作方式的矿质元素含量差异,阐明土壤矿质元素之间的相关关系。结果表明:(1)与无措施相比,其他耕作方式的Ca、Si、Mn等元素含量呈增加趋势,Fe、Mg、Al等元素含量则降低,Na含量无显著差异。(2)施用有机肥的矿质元素含量最丰富,地膜覆盖次之,套种紫花苜蓿最低。(3)相关性分析表明,火龙果地土壤矿质元素间多存在显著相关性,Al、Si、S、Ni与其他元素的相关性较密切,其次为Fe、Mg、Na、Mn、Cu和Co,均达到显著或极显著水平。(4) Ca、Fe、Mg、Mn、Cu、Zn和B之间多呈负相关,存在拮抗效应。干热河谷石漠化区在火龙果栽培时,应首选有机肥作为养分添加方式,并及时补充不同耕作方式造成的土壤矿质养分亏缺,尤其是Fe、Mg、Al、Na、Cu、Zn等元素。     

Subcellular localization of mineral deposits in the roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Summary Mineral distribution in the roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Wheaton) was investigated using X-ray microanalysis of bulk frozen hydrated roots in SEM and of freeze substituted sections in TEM. Results obtained using the two methods agreed reasonably well. A total often elements were detected: Na, Mg, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, and Fe. Of these Si, P, Ca, and Mn were incorporated into biomineralized structures. Silica was deposited in the endodermal walls in the older parts of the root. Silicon was also detected in the large central metaxylem lumina in the basal zone of the root, and in the smaller peripheral metaxylem and the immediately contiguous pericycle and outer parenchyma cells bridging the small metaxylem vessels to the endodermal layer. In the basal zone of the root some of the inner cortical cells contained intracellular electron opaque deposits. These were associated with the cell walls, had non-opaque inclusions and microanalysis revealed that they consisted of calcium, phosphorus and manganese.Abbreviations A apical zone of root - M midzone of root - B basal zone of root - SEM scanning electron microscope - TEM transmission electron microscope     

Are xylem-tapping mistletoes partially heterotrophic?

Summary Carbon isotope ratios, photosynthesis, and transpiration were measured on a xylem-tapping mistletoe (Phoradendron juniperinum) and its host (Juniperus osteosperma) in southern Utah, USA. For host tissues, the carbon isotope ratios agreed with theoretical values predicted from gas exchange observations. However, for mistletoe tissues, carbon isotope ratios deviated significantly from values predicted by gas exchange observations. This apparent discrepancy in mistletoe carbon isotope ratios can be resolved if one assumes that organic carbon dissolved in host xylem water was assimilated by the parasite. The mistletoes' high transpiration rates and low photosynthetic rates contributed to their heavy dependence on host xylem carbon. Two lines of evidence suggest that 62±2% of the carbon in the Utah mistletoe is derivated from the host and not from mistletoe autotrophic activities. Whereas xylem-tapping mistletoes have previously been characterized as wholly autotrophic parasites, we suggest that they may instead derive significant amounts of carbon from their hosts.